Head coach Stan Van Gundy has always spoken his mind.
That didn't change when the Detroit Pistons coach gave his thoughts on one of the team's most important players in Stanley Johnson, per Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press.
Johnson is in his third year in the NBA, all with the Pistons. He's played 22 of the 25 games and averaged 7.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 29.6 minutes per game, per Basketball Reference.
Johnson has also started all but one game for the Pistons this season. But he's still unhappy with his role, per Ellis.
#Pistons SVG on Stanley: “That may not be the role that Stanley prefers or thinks he should have, but that’s the role he’s in, but he’s got to be more efficient in it."
— VinceEllis (@AlabamaScribe56) December 9, 2017
Johnson is an up-and-coming young player, and he's averaging a career-high in minutes this season. While he barely started in his first two years, he's staring consistently now.
If Johnson didn't have some type of delusion of grandeur, he simply wouldn't be playing in the NBA. So his desire for an increased role is not only understandable but also expected of any young layer.
But Johnson also has to be patient. He's playing for one of the toughest NBA coaches in Van Gundy, who doesn't take playing time and roles lightly. He demands consistent play from his players, something Johnson is clearly not providing at the moment.
Johnson's time will come. And when it does, he'll be ready.
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